#Kinderchat Archive
#Kinderchat, glue, glitter, gogurt, bringing daily joy to twitter. Find us Mondays, 9 pm EST and 8:30PM London time when we talk all things Early Years!
Monday February 29, 2016
Amy here, in the Canada. Dr Seuss B-day does not seem to be a big thing here. Don't think my tchrs have big plans.
I'm Angela a K T in MN & on for Dr. Seuss's birthday, my Ss will hear 9 other K Ts in the US read to them
I'm Meg, your leader for tonight. We are having PJ day on Wednesday. Can't wait! Love wearing jammies to school.
I'm Katie and I teach kindergarten in Michigan. This is my first . I'm still deciding what to do for Dr. Seuss's birthday.
Hi Angela! That sounds awesome. How did you coordinate that?
Best days ever! Expect when you forget it's PJ day - then it's the worst day ever
Hi Katie! Welcome to We're glad you are here! You'll learn a lot.
Hi ! I'm Michelle, K teacher from BC, Canada...no celebrating Dr. Seuss in my class this year.
Kathleen from Edmonton, Canada here. Dr. Seuss' birthday isn't a big thing in the Canada. No plans here.
Faige retired kinder T in Los Angeles Subbing tomorrow & will find out. Maybe I'll read a Dr. Seuss book? What's your favorite
I'm a preservice Teacher looking forward to getting some great ideas for my own classroom someday!
thought of it on the way to school today. Jumped on Twitter & sent messages to Ts. We will have a class
Hi Michelle! Is it still cold up in BC? Temps in VA were in the upper 60's. Calling for snow on Friday.
Hi Kathleen! I was thinking about you today. Would love to get our classes together again!
The Ss will be the 9 teachers and they will add videos of them reading a book. My Ss will view and comment if they want
Hi Faige! So excited you get to sub tomorrow! It's hard to pick a favorite Dr. Seuss book.
It was cool, but not cold here...11C, I think? I just got back from Vegas...28C!
Welcome Jennifer! Where are you going to school? Lots of good ideas on
Hi I'm Shelby, I'm currently going to school for elementary education. I wanted learn more about teaching
Nice to see you, too! :-)
Hi Karen! Awesome! What other fun things do you have planned?
oooh! Did you love the Venetian?
I'm Eliza Health and PE teacher from NJ. We have a pajama day as well.
Welcome Shelby! Where are you going to school? You will learn lots from
I now sub at my old school and another school I checked out to see if we're a "good fit"
LOVE the Venetian! We should have just stayed right on property. But our boys wanted M&M's ;-)
Three words for you...Table 10 BACON!
Welcome, Eliza! Great to have a specialist join us.
Qi: What technology do you use in your classroom? Do you have your own or share with other Ks/school?
Nice to be able to pick where you go!
A1 We have a class set of iPads we use 1 hr/week...shared with the school. We use as our primary app.
We are creating a class just for the event. Ts will add their video to their state
I grew up in Slippery Rock. Went to school at Juniata College in Huntingdon.
A1: We have 1:1 iPads and a classroom promethean board
A1 We have a SMART board, 5 iPads, 4 desktop computers
A:1 In the health room we have a smart board & 1 computer. I am looking for ways to integrate tech. Most likely centers.
this might be a dumb question but what is a promethean board?
Do you get to pick the hour or is it assigned?
A1 iPads. Had 9 & 4 computers now they will have 15 iPads next year. Each K can have one when it's half groups. No computers (
its an interactive white board - similar to a smart board
I picked the time...we do a draw for scheduling, except PE which is assigned.
A1 10 ipads shared between 4 classes. 1 smartboard.
I go to the University of Wyoming
Old familiar like home New: learning curve & getting out of my comfort zone https://t.co/8MbRoEJxf6
Nice to be able to pick where you go!
It is like a SMART board.
oops forgot we have Smartboard also
It's ok...documentation of learning is my focus, not the tech.
The first time I went to a conf in America was when I learned there are many brands of many products!
Are they regular or mini iPads? I have 5 regular, but lots like the minis for small hands
We have 4 iPads and a laptop cart dedicated to the 3 Ks. School has tablet cart and IPods. All classrooms have ActivBoard.
Hi everyone, Melva teaching grade 3 in northern Saskatchewan, sorry I'm late, grandson just dropped a glass & sweeping happened
They are regular iPads...I wish they were minis, but were bought for the school before minis were invented. LOL!
I'm still trying to figure out what is best. Big screen is good if Ss are annotating with drawing,
Q2: What do you find easiest to use w/ Ks and why? Independent activity or group?
all nights are busy in our house with a 9yo on autism spectrum, & a 2yo, dogs, cats, fish & adults
are the 4 iPads always in your room, or part of the sharing?
Ah...yes, sometimes bigger is better.
4 iPads are for sharing with 2 other Ks. PTO purchased them for us. Thinking of asking for 4 more.
A2 Different activities call for different tech and different groupings. It depends what the goal is.
A2 I am a firm believer in full class lessons. Those that "get it" help those that don't. Right ?
A1 iPads are easiest & so many tools built right in for Ks. Ss usually w/ partner or group, or individual if capturing
What is your first choice of activity/tech for your Ss?
Yes! I think sharing makes it hard to integrate on a regular basis. Some schools are taking apart carts
A2 I am more comfortable using iPads in a group, but would like to learn more independent uses especially for writing
Hv kids that know how to do things show others. Often kids who struggle in other areas are experts.
A2 Used w/HWT, Raz Kids (leveled books 4 Listen To Read Daily 5 rotation) Story apps coding & math, PicCollage Will find out
Ipads. They would be my first choice if I had more access... doing is always best.
How do you use them with the group?
I believe each lesson should have @ least 2 of the following, whole group, pair share, small groups, and individual instruction
A1 for student use 1 computer in room, 5 iPads once in 6 school days, for me a computer & smartboard, my own doc camera
Looking for the best apps (, , ) for to help continue learning during summer.
Mostly with the app Nearpod. We have slides that go with our reading curriculum to make it more interactive
For writing, my Ss still use paper, pencils, and crayons. They take pics of writing and record their voice reading
Always went to kinders. They loved helping & teaching me
I agree! First time my Ss used laptops, they were trying to figure out how to move the mouse on the screen.
I'm pretty conservative about putting preschoolers in front of screens. Pencils, paper, books, blocks are better tools.
A2 with my grade 3 I teach a few & they teach a few, we go to computer lab once every 6 school days too
Debora from Hanover, Pa #
We celebrate all week! Wear green for Green Eggs and Ham was today.
A2: If possible I start w/whole group then move to small groups. Gives a chance for proper pairing & individualized attention.
What do you use for recording? Video or a certain app?
The best apps are sidewalk, grass and exploration! Learn through doing and playing. Experience is key
I use for pics, videos, and voice recording. Actually my Ss do
A2: I am rarely rarely rarely teaching how to use the tech tool. Tech is integrated into all we do - it's not the lesson.
Our F2F program is pretty much tech free except the few songs I play on my iphone or rare occasion we set up a projector
For a preschooler, I think the best app is not an app at all, but an involved adult who can talk, read, and engage
Throw in lots of outside play too! https://t.co/HdT3edWimM
I'm pretty conservative about putting preschoolers in front of screens. Pencils, paper, books, blocks are better tools.
Q3: What apps/uses do you feel are must haves when using tech?Suggestions to new Ts or ppl getting new tech in room.
Hoping to borrow a set of 5 iPads for K health lessons. Any suggestions?
Know your kids, know they're likes, know they're fears act accordingly with tech & all else. Encourage exploration/learning
A3 Book Creator, QR Code reader, a doodle app, storybook apps in French
A3: Any app that doesn't do the teaching is a good app. Apps that document, reinforce a skill, or enhance a previous activity.
Would love to know more about your storybook apps in French. Beginning a French FLESS/Immersion in K/1 next yr.
Wifi! We love Kidblog & instaweather but need wifi to use on iPads, educreations is good, Denesuline is a Dene language app
Which apps do you find the best?
I always start with a whole group lesson to teach a concept or app and then the students go from there.
A3 is the app that my Ss use to create, capture, share, & reflect on learning. Great for hands on learning in K
Are your iPads not always hooked up to wifi?
We are SOOO on the same page here!
I'm using this year. Really easy to use. Hoping more classes will use it.
Good apps are about CREATING and DOCUMENTING. A digital worksheet is still a worksheet.
no our wifi is spotty and only works on the seventh Tuesday of a month with 37 days ;)
Jumping in from today: "This is a little book of prayers, Miss Echternacht!" Me: "no that's Little House on the Prairie!"
4 iPads for room, document camera, smart board, projector.
A3 Favorite 3 apps are - use for digital storytelling, Ss created videos, capture experiments
Absolutely! Lots of great ppl here to answer them.
How do you find the best app to use for your students?
Ease of use is key, especially when we want Ss interacting with the apps
I've not heard of playtales gold. Will have to check it out. Is it easy to use?
On this tweet I bid adieu till next time. https://t.co/hnq5wjad8t
Jumping in from today: "This is a little book of prayers, Miss Echternacht!" Me: "no that's Little House on the Prairie!"
It is easy to use. There is a cost but well worth it to me. Many french stories for students to listen to and play with.
Start with your purpose first Most of the apps I use can do anything across all content areas
I check out apps people talk about on or look for apps to meet a certain need in my class
I ask others, especially here. Get suggestions of ppl to follow or blogs to check out.
RT I ask others, especially here. Get suggestions of ppl to follow or blogs to check out.
Me too! Always lots of good suggestions here.
A3 love@seesaw for recording videos, pictures, recordings and it's great to showcase work for parents.
Thank you for letting me sit in today!
Q4: What are the tech challenges?
Thanks for stopping by! Join us again!
Thanks! Always get good ideas from Matt.
A4 Challenges are making sure we use tech for real purposes not to just use tech for the sake of using tech
Thank you so much! I will definitely take a look at that!
Yes! That gets very fuzzy for some people.
A4 Wifi when it's iffy. Headphones when they don't work
Do your kids bring their own headphones or do you provide?
We have them at school, but it seems like we always have some issues, or problems keeping track of which ones are iffy
Thanks for a great chat! Have a wonderful rest of the week
A4: Availability of tech can be challenging, especially when sharing w/ whole school. Some Ts always seem to get the tech.
Love chatter pic too! Forgot about that...a must have!
A4 I think another challenge can be if you are trying to use apps that are not appropriate for the Ss you are working with
Don't know much about that one.
A4 need reliable wifi & some iPads all the time used because it fits learning, not because it's day 2 https://t.co/2O97fsMyYd
A4 Challenges are making sure we use tech for real purposes not to just use tech for the sake of using tech
Students created valentines with paper etc, then made them talk for their mom and dad
A4: Having time to try new apps to know what they can do and if appropriate for Ss. Never enough hours in the day.
there's a time & place for no-tech/low-tech; however, limited screen time can b a motivation tool & a hook 4 Ss
It's a super easy, but fun one. Ss can make pictures talk with a moving mouth. If you need a laugh
A4: tech availability is a big issue. But mostly wifi access as it can be spotty in my bldg.
Will check it out! Thanks!
How many apps (roughly) do you use in the classroom and how do they improve learning?
What are you favorite collaborative activities for sight word practice and sentence structure using iPads?
screen time not good for little 3&4 yr old brains. They need to touch, feel, manipulate real 3D objects & materials.
don't use the ipads and it quickly gets way easier!! :)
Yes, yes, yes! They don't always get to use manipulatives enough!
aka it sounds like the ipad is in the way of the learning vs helping
Researched sharks. Made craft sharks and used to make shark talk about facts. to share
Ipads all the time... no. Ipads as another tool for creating and recording... you bet. Teach them to use it well.
We work w/ paper, sentence strips, magnetic letters, games. Create sent., cut,mix, fix. Then capture & read on ipad
In the right hands tech is not just a screen it is a toolbox.
And responsibly. Important Ss know various ways to do things, not just using tech.
Thank you to for leading convo tonight!!
can't argue.time4 good weather 2 get Ss out of the 4 walls.(Yes, I know it can happen in the classroom)
Thanks to everyone for coming tonight and for your voices, hard work and curiosity!! Have fun out there!! :)
And that's a wrap for tonight! Thanks for the great discussion about tech in the room. Please share great things you use w/ pals
Thank you so much for a great convo! It was nice to hear everyones input on teaching with different resources!
Thanks for a great & thanks for moderating, Meg. Have a wonderful week everyone!
chatter pix would be great to use for a safety lesson I have planned! awesome!
I'm focusing a lot this year on using tech for connecting with others. Including Ps, Ss and opening our eyes to experiences
I have some new ideas to integrate tech for my Ss. Thank you all for the great info!
Thanks It's always a supportive group of professionals. Thanks for guiding us!
Really liked tonight. Always wondered what other teachers thought about using technology.
Over and out, friends. See you on the flipside!
Thanks for being here and sharing! Have a great week!
Glad you could join us. It is a great group of ppl with lots of good ideas!
